Both Uses of
precedent
in
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
- A murderer and a villain;
A slave that is not twentieth part the tithe
Of your precedent lord; a vice of kings;
A cutpurse of the empire and the rule,
That from a shelf the precious diadem stole
And put it in his pocket!†Scene 3.4 *
- But in my terms of honour
I stand aloof; and will no reconcilement
Till by some elder masters of known honour
I have a voice and precedent of peace
To keep my name ungor'd.†Scene 5.2
Definition:
an example from a prior time -- typically used to justify similar occurrences at a later time (especially a judicial decision)